McLaren begins track testing 720S GT3

McLaren Automotive has begun track testing its all-new 720S GT3 ahead of its 2019 racing debut.

The development of the car has been carried out in-house after the company elected to bring its customer racing project in-house.

Like the 650S GT3, the new car will again feature an all-carbon fibre monocoque with an in-house developed 4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine.

The first two cars will undergo a test program to stress the car’s on track and physical performance with track testing set to visit circuits in Europe and the Middle East.

“The 720S GT3 is a significant car for McLaren Automotive,” said Jolyon Nash, Executive Director of Global Sales and Marketing, McLaren Automotive.

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“It still has the road car’s ability to deliver extreme performance in a way that all drivers can access, but taken to an altogether higher, racetrack level.

“Crucially it also forms a part of our growing customer-focused racing and business strategy which sees dedicated motorsport products developed in-house that draw on our rich pool of motorsport experience and expertise.”

New homologation requirements for manufacturers dictate that McLaren must sell 10 cars in the first year, and a further 10 cars in 2020 for the car to remain eligible for GT3 competition into 2020.

It’s the latest in a string of new GT3 machinery set for release next year, which includes Aston Martin poised to release a new Vantage, and Audi developing an updated aero kit for its R8.

The car will join McLaren’s 570S GT4 offering in its customer racing program.